Binding 101Binding 101
  • (866)537-2244 (866)537-2244
  • E-MAIL
My Account
  • Sign In New to Binding101? Create an Account
0 My Cart
$0.00

There are no items in your shopping Cart.

Free Shipping

Free Shipping On Orders $75 or more*
  • Binding
    Supplies
     
    • Spiral Binding Coils Spiral Binding Coils
    • Wire-O Twin Loop Binding Supplies Wire-O Twin Loop Binding Supplies
    • Spiral-O Wire Binding Combs (19 Loop) Spiral-O Wire Binding Combs (19 Loop)
    • Plastic Binding Combs Plastic Binding Combs
    • Binding Report Covers Binding Report Covers
    • Thermal Binding Supplies Thermal Binding Supplies
    • Fastback Binding Supplies Fastback Binding Supplies
    • Ring Binder Mechanisms Ring Binder Mechanisms
    • Binding Rings Binding Rings
    • Screw Posts Screw Posts
    • Velo Binding  Supplies Velo Binding Supplies
    • Custom Branded Binding Supplies Custom Branded Binding Supplies
    • Padding Supplies Padding Supplies
    • Stitching Wire, Staples & Accessories Stitching Wire, Staples & Accessories
    • Perfect Binding Supplies Perfect Binding Supplies
    • Pre-Punched Paper & Binding Covers Pre-Punched Paper & Binding Covers
    • Book Care & Repair Supplies Book Care & Repair Supplies
  • Binding
    Machines
     
    • Spiral Binding Machines Spiral Binding Machines
    • Wire Binding Machines Wire Binding Machines
    • Comb Binding Machines Comb Binding Machines
    • Thermal Binding Machines Thermal Binding Machines
    • Heavy-Duty Tabletop Punches Heavy-Duty Tabletop Punches
    • Punching Dies Punching Dies
    • Fastback® Tape Binding Machines Fastback® Tape Binding Machines
    • Staplers Staplers
    • Saddle Stitchers & Booklet Making Saddle Stitchers & Booklet Making
    • Perfect Binding Machines Perfect Binding Machines
    • Padding Presses Padding Presses
    • Velo Binding Machines Velo Binding Machines
    • Automatic Punching & Binding Equipment Automatic Punching & Binding Equipment
  • Laminating &
    Foiling
     
    • Laminating Film Laminating Film
    • Laminating Pouches Laminating Pouches
    • Roll Laminators Roll Laminators
    • Pouch Laminators Pouch Laminators
    • Wide Format Laminators Wide Format Laminators
    • Foam Board Mounting & Laminating Machines Foam Board Mounting & Laminating Machines
    • Xyron Xyron
    • Foil Fusers & Toner Reactive Foil Foil Fusers & Toner Reactive Foil
  • Ring
    Binders
     
    • Binders Binders
    • Binder Mechanisms Binder Mechanisms
    • Hole Punches Hole Punches
  • Covers &
    Folders
     
    • Binding Report Covers Binding Report Covers
    • Pre-Punched Binding Covers Pre-Punched Binding Covers
    • No-Punch Report Covers No-Punch Report Covers
    • Pocket Folders Pocket Folders
    • Thermal Binding Covers Thermal Binding Covers
    • Certificate Holders Certificate Holders
    • Journals Journals
  • Index Tabs &
    Filing
     
    • Index Tabs Index Tabs
    • Filing Supplies Filing Supplies
    • Tab Cutters Tab Cutters
  • Foam Board &
    Sign Supplies
     
    • Foam & Mounting Boards Foam & Mounting Boards
    • Easel Backs Easel Backs
    • Foam Board Mounting & Laminating Machines Foam Board Mounting & Laminating Machines
    • Foam Board Stands Foam Board Stands
    • Foam Board Accessories Foam Board Accessories
    • Magnet Material Magnet Material
    • Grommet Presses & Grommets Grommet Presses & Grommets
    • Mounting Adhesives Mounting Adhesives
    • Glue Dots Glue Dots
    • Sign & Literature Display Sign & Literature Display
    • Transparencies Transparencies
  • Photobook
    Binding
     
    • Photobook Equipment & Supplies Photobook Equipment & Supplies
    • DIY Photobooks DIY Photobooks
    • DIY Photo Mounting DIY Photo Mounting
  • Cutters &
    Trimmers
     
    • Replacement Cutter Blades Replacement Cutter Blades
    • Rotary Trimmers Rotary Trimmers
    • Vertical Cutters Vertical Cutters
    • Corner Rounders Corner Rounders
    • Business Card Cutters Business Card Cutters
    • Foam Board Cutters Foam Board Cutters
    • Guillotine Cutters Guillotine Cutters
    • Stack Cutters Stack Cutters
    • Mat Board Cutters Mat Board Cutters
    • Tab Cutters Tab Cutters
    • Cutting Mats Cutting Mats
    • Replacement Cutting Sticks Replacement Cutting Sticks
    • Safety Straight Edge Safety Straight Edge
    • Jogging Blocks Jogging Blocks
    • Cutter Stands & Accessories Cutter Stands & Accessories
    • Electric Paper Cutters Electric Paper Cutters
    • Handheld Cutters Handheld Cutters
  • Paper
    Handling
     
    • Shredders Shredders
    • Creasers, Perforators & Scoring Machines Creasers, Perforators & Scoring Machines
    • Paper Folders Paper Folders
    • Paper Joggers Paper Joggers
    • Numbering Machines Numbering Machines
    • Collators Collators
    • Paper Drills Paper Drills
    • Rolling Storage Carts & Workstations Rolling Storage Carts & Workstations
  • Packaging
    Products
     
    • Protective Air Packaging Protective Air Packaging
    • Shrink Wrapping Shrink Wrapping
    • Paper Banding Paper Banding
  • Shop by
    Industry
     
    • Education K-12 Education K-12
    • Colleges & Universities Colleges & Universities
    • Print & Copy Shops Print & Copy Shops
    • Law Firms & Court Reporters Law Firms & Court Reporters
    • CPA CPA's & Financial
    • Small Office Small Office
    • Large / Corporate Office Large / Corporate Office
    • Medical Medical
    • Government Government
    • Real Estate Real Estate
    • Trade Shows, Conferences, Conventions, & Events Trade Shows, Conferences, Conventions, & Events
    • Photography Studios Photography Studios
    • DIY & Crafting DIY & Crafting
    • Graphic Supplies Graphic Supplies
    • Entrepreneurs Entrepreneurs
  • Home

    /
  • Resource Center

    /
  • What is the Difference between Foam Board and Gator Board?

Swipe to the left

What is the Difference between Foam Board and Gator Board?

By Mallory Morsa October 19, 2018 470 Views

What is the Difference Between Foam Board and Gator Board

Have you ever been confused over the various kinds of mounting boards available? It can be especially off-putting when you compare pricing and see such a drastic difference from basic foam core boards and gator style boards. They may look the same from a distance, but there is quite a difference between foam board and gator board; a difference that, once you compare the two, you will understand is significant enough to allow for the price difference. So let's talk about it...


Foam board is more of an industry-standard...it is a basic board with a lightweight polystyrene foam core and clay-coated board faces. Basic foam board can be used for mounting graphics, presentations, temporary signage, photo light boxes, school projects, and much more.

Gator board is a more premium option...it is a more durable board that has a more dense polystyrene core and stronger wood-fiber facing that is more resistant to denting. Gator board is the mounting board of choice for signs that will be visible for extended periods of time, trade shows with heavy traffic where they may get bumped in transit and at the show, art shows, and other locations where additional durability would be beneficial.

Board Type Foam Board Gator Board
Board Thicknesses Available 3/16" 3/16"
1/2"
1"
Board Coatings Available Plain (Uncoated)
Heat Activated (Hot)
Pressure Sensitive (Cold)
Plain (Uncoated)
Heat Activated (Hot)
Pressure Sensitive (Cold)
Board Sizes Available 8" x 10" to 48" x 96" 24" x 36" to 60" x 120"
Core Material Standard Polystyrene Foam Extra-Dense Polystyrene Foam
Face Material Clay Coated Luxcell Wood-Fiber Veneer


Personally, I use basic foam board as a backdrop for videos and product photography. It is bright, and offers great bounce-back of light and contrast for filming. But it doesn't take long for the boards to get dents and creases from products being placed on them. This is why I will be upgrading my photobox to a gatorboard one; because it will last significantly longer, and I will be using it nearly every day for the foreseeable future. But that being said; I am only doing that because I can expense the cost. If I were buying out of pocket as an individual or a very small business, I would probably go with foam board with the understanding that I would have to be careful with the boards to extend their lives, as well as have to replace sooner than I would a gator board.

⇨ Click Here to Shop Foam & Gator Mounting Boards ⇦


Mallory Morsa, Binding101 Product ExpertAbout the Author • Mallory Morsa is the product expert and content specialist at Binding101, and has been a valued team member since 2008. She started her career here in customer service, moved onto sales supervisor, product management, and then onto content. She takes a hands-on approach to products, and truly gets to know how every item works before she writes about them, with a goal to give you all of the honest information you need to make a confident buying decision. She has a bachelor's degree with a focus on management and marketing, and has been a writer, photographer, and videographer for many years. In her free time, she loves to read by the pool, volunteer at the local animal shelter in the kitten nursery, and snuggle her three furbabies while she binge watches Netflix.

Posted in: FAQs
Categories
  • About Binding101
  • How To's
  • FAQs
  • Money Saving Tips
  • Teacher's Corner
  • Buying Guides
  • Industry News
  • Featured Products & Reviews
  • Custom Products
  • DIY
  • Customer Spotlight
  • Small Businesses
  • Mid-Size Businesses
  • Large Businesses
Search the blog
Recent Posts
  • Customer Spotlight: Faith Grace Crafts
    February 22, 2019
    Ever wanted to make DIY foiled stickers? Now you can! We are so excited to share with you a bit...
  • Wide Format Laminator FAQs
    February 20, 2019
    What makes a laminating machine wide format? Who uses wide format laminators? How much do they...
  • What are the Parts of a Stitching Wire Spool?
    February 19, 2019
    A spool of stitching wire has several components, many of which must be taken into account to...
  • Hate Slow Binding? We have that in Common!
    February 18, 2019
    Hate slow binding? We have that in common! It is a popular thought among users of all kinds that...
  • 3 Top Quality Roll Laminators for Schools
    February 15, 2019
    Looking for a top quality roll laminator for your school? Check out our picks for the 3 best school...
Archives
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • Site Map
  • Advanced Search
  • Orders and Returns
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Customer Service

Success, you're now on the list!

* $50 min. applies

Hi there!

We want to give you $10.

Sign up for Exclusive Email Offers

Success! You're now on the list. You'll start receiving Exclusive Email Offers shortly.

$10 OFF your first order of $50 or more

Key Features

Specials and Coupons

Custom Branded Products

Quantity Discounts

Clearance Products

Resource Center & Blog

Important Information
  • About Us
  • Tax Exempt & Resale
  • Privacy Policy
  • Return Policy
  • Shipping and Terms
  • Price Match Guarantee
  • Purchase Orders Accepted
  • Service Information
  • FAQs
  • Sitemap
Company Info

Call Us: (866)537-2244 (866)537-2244

Fax Us: (800) 440-8669

info@binding101.com

Customer Reviews

twitter facebook pinterest youtube google

© 2019 Binding101.com All Rights Reserved.

Click for the BBB Business Review of this Office Supplies in Totowa NJ     PayPal Acceptance Mark